Aussie fast bowler touted as next Test vice-captain

A surprise candidate has emerged as a contender for the vacant vice-captaincy role under Tim Paine.

Josh Hazlewood is a surprise candidate for the vacant leadership rolePhoto: Getty Images

Opening bowler Josh Hazlewood has been tipped by teammate Pat Cummins to be appointed as the Australian Test team's vice-captain.

The role is still vacant as incumbents Steve Smith and David Warner are both serving year-long bans in the wake of the ball-tampering saga.

If Hazlewood is appointed he would be bucking the recent trend of fast bowlers holding leadership positions in the national side. The last fast bowler to hold a leadership role was Rodney Hogg back in 1984.

The big New South Welshman has been a permanent fixture of the Australian attack since debuting in 2014 and his fast-bowling counterpart Pat Cummins is very confident that Hazlewood is ready to take on the role.